SHEBOYGAN - Meijer has started initial site prep work for its future store at Sheboygan's Memorial Mall.

The Grand Rapids-based retailer purchased the site in 2015 with plans to demolish a section of the mall to create a new shopping center anchored by a Meijer supercenter. Plans include keeping and remodeling portions of the mall, including Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl’s and Goodyear stores, while demolishing most of the rest of the building.

Current on-site retailers, including Bed, Bath & Beyond, Kohl’s, Claire’s, Powers Tire & Auto Service, Shabree Jewelers and C.K. Alterations will remain open during all phases of construction, according to Meijer.

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Poles line the demolition area at Sheboygan Memorial Mall Tuesday, August 1, in Sheboygan. Meijer is beginning initial site prep work for its future store at the Sheboygan Mall complex.(Photo: Gary C. Klein/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

“We are looking forward to bringing the Meijer experience to Sheboygan,” said Frank Guglielmi, Meijer senior director of communications. “There is a lot of work to be done and we are currently in the very early phases of site prep, so the earliest a Meijer store will open at the Sheboygan Mall will be 2019.”

The Meijer in Sheboygan will be approximately 150,000 square feet and will include a gas station, drive-up pharmacy and a garden center. The store will employ up to 250 full- and part-time team members.

Meijer opened its first Wisconsin stores in 2015 and now has seven stores near Kenosha, Milwaukee and Green Bay. Another Meijer store is slated to open in 2018 near Appleton in Grand Chute.